Post by jeanne on Oct 8, 2016 23:38:21 GMT 1

1 But I didn`t say owling, I wrote birdling, it is acceptable in Western Canada and Eastern Alaska, Innuit people say so.

Okay, fair enough...I thought perhaps you weren't familiar with the term "owlet," so I was trying to be helpful...I wanted to help you hone your English skills!

2 Sowa, the word creates bad associations to me, as a kid I saw a cover of the book which read: Sowa, baker`s daughter. I thought the book was too serious for me to read and immediately got suspicious about the word.

So, does that mean in normal, everyday conversation you avoid talking about owls so that you don't have to say the word?

Post by Bonobo on Oct 9, 2016 11:38:57 GMT 1

Okay, fair enough...I thought perhaps you weren't familiar with the term "owlet," so I was trying to be helpful...I wanted to help you hone your English skills! So, does that mean in normal, everyday conversation you avoid talking about owls so that you don't have to say the word? and I appreciate that immensely!!

1 I knew owlet just like eaglet and piglet.

2 Yes, I try to avoid uttering the word because it may bring bad omen upon me. That is why I prefer to say the night feathered hunter, night hunter for short. Besides, Poland: Polish folklore links Owls with death. Girls who die unmarried turn into doves; girls who are married when they die turn into Owls.An owl cry heard in or near a home usually meant impending death, sickness, or other misfortune.An old story tells how the Owl does not come out at during the day because it is too beautiful, and would be mobbed by other, jealous birds.

Post by jeanne on Oct 9, 2016 22:25:50 GMT 1

An owl cry heard in or near a home usually meant impending death, sickness, or other misfortune.

We have this same folklore in the U.S. I'm not sure where it came from...maybe Polish immigrants , but I think it goes back further than the time of the great migration. It probably originated with the Native Americans. Here's a link about their folklore on owls:www.native-languages.org/legends-owl.htm

It's interesting that widely different cultures would have similar folklore associating owls with death...perhaps it's because owls come out at night and their hoots have a ghostly quality to them...

An old story tells how the Owl does not come out at during the day because it is too beautiful, and would be mobbed by other, jealous birds.

I've never heard this one.

Mostly the folklore I know of depicts owls as being very wise; they're often depicted in popular art as "professor types" with monocles and mortarboards. Of course we should all know "Owl" from Winnie the Pooh--definitely a wise character...the voice of reason in that series of stories!

Post by Bonobo on Jan 28, 2017 16:46:00 GMT 1

Poles generally love animals but there are limits, too.

The police put road posts around a swan which didn`t want to leave a busy street. Traffic slowed down visibly but the comments were still favourable: Good job, guys! If all police officers were human like that.. etc etc

However, when later it turned out that the police fined some drivers for using phones in a car (photos!), the comments changed: Fools! Instead of picking the bird up and putting it back in the river, the police play with it. Unbelievable!

Post by jeanne on Jan 28, 2017 18:59:02 GMT 1

The police put road posts around a swan which didn`t want to leave a busy street. Traffic slowed down visibly but the comments were still favourable: Good job, guys! If all police officers were human like that.. etc etc

However, when later it turned out that the police fined some drivers for using phones in a car (photos!), the comments changed: Fools! Instead of picking the bird up and putting it back in the river, the police play with it. Unbelievable!

It's not that simple...while the police should have called wildlife handlers to move the swan, they should not have attempted to "pick it up" themselves. Swans, especially males, can be extremely aggressive towards people and can inflict a lot of pain with those bills (beaks)!

Post by jeanne on Feb 23, 2017 23:55:38 GMT 1

Whew...I'm glad I got that right and am able to maintain my reputation as a "bird person!"

This bird doesn`t display any special characteristics by which I could remember it. A simple bird, that`s all.

Bonobo, where are your scientific and educator observation skills?

My observations told me the bird has a thick bill in the shape that allows it to crack and eat various nuts like sunflower seeds and even acorns which are the food of jays. They characteristically have tufted feathers on their heads, and this bird had striped white and blue markings on its wings which are similar to some markings on the Blue Jay which we have in the U.S. These things plus its size led me to conclude it is a jay...simple!

Post by Bonobo on Feb 24, 2017 0:45:21 GMT 1

This bird doesn`t display any special characteristics by which I could remember it. A simple bird, that`s all.

Bonobo, where are your scientific and educator observation skills?

My observations told me the bird has a thick bill in the shape that allows it to crack and eat various nuts like sunflower seeds and even acorns which are the food of jays. They characteristically have tufted feathers on their heads, and this bird had striped white and blue markings on its wings which are similar to some markings on the Blue Jay which we have in the U.S. These things plus its size led me to conclude it is a jay...simple!

I have those skills. I just remembered!!!! I once found that blue white wing feather and put it in our collection of natural artifacts! A few years ago I even checked the species but forgot about it because I am very forgetful.

Post by jeanne on Feb 24, 2017 2:31:44 GMT 1

I have those skills. I just remembered!!!! I once found that blue white wing feather and put it in our collection of natural artifacts! A few years ago I even checked the species but forgot about it because I am very forgetful.

Do you remember? It is even written there.

No, I don't remember, but I did just now look at the photos of your collection and it is quite impressive!

I knew you had those skills! You were just being impatient and brushed off the bird details...but see, you found it interesting enough in the past to document the feather in your collection!

Post by Bonobo on Feb 24, 2017 22:31:10 GMT 1

but see, you found it interesting enough in the past to document the feather in your collection!

(And, I'll make a bird-watcher out of you yet!! )

Hah! And I perfectly remember your comments under that post.

I documented those feathers for the sake of my kids.

Nope, I will never make a good bird watcher since birds have one major disadvantage - they are deprived of soft fluffy fur! Besides, they must be observed with binoculars which is a problem for me because my eyes do not comply with that device.

Post by jeanne on Feb 25, 2017 15:41:49 GMT 1

Nope, I will never make a good bird watcher since birds have one major disadvantage - they are deprived of soft fluffy fur! Besides, they must be observed with binoculars which is a problem for me because my eyes do not comply with that device.

- It doesn't matter that they don't have fluffy fur...a bird-watcher does not pet the birds, but merely observes them for their wonderful diversity, colorful plumage, interesting habits, and benefits to humans and other creatures through their activities such as keeping insects under control, helping to pollinate, etc., etc., etc.!

- 99.9% of my own bird-watching is done without binoculars! I have trouble dealing with them, but that doesn't matter because I can use my own eyesight and so can you! Krakow has many trees and parks, so there are many species to be seen right there, and I'm sure your country property hosts a myriad of species! You posted about your encounter with one bird that you thought was trying to give you some message...I can't remember which thread it was in. But merely by posting about that encounter, you are demonstrating that you do indeed have bird-watching skills!

Post by Bonobo on Feb 25, 2017 21:12:19 GMT 1

t doesn't matter that they don't have fluffy fur...a bird-watcher does not pet the birds, but merely observes them for their wonderful diversity, colorful plumage, interesting habits, and benefits to humans and other creatures through their activities such as keeping insects under control, helping to pollinate, etc., etc., etc.!

- 99.9% of my own bird-watching is done without binoculars! I have trouble dealing with them, but that doesn't matter because I can use my own eyesight and so can you! Krakow has many trees and parks, so there are many species to be seen right there, and I'm sure your country property hosts a myriad of species! You posted about your encounter with one bird that you thought was trying to give you some message...I can't remember which thread it was in. But merely by posting about that encounter, you are demonstrating that you do indeed have bird-watching skills!

Unfortunately, the possession of fur is the most wanted feature which makes a creature appealing to me. I like building a close contact with an animal by kissing, fondling, petting, caressing and stroking its fur. Or touching the soft warm skin of a snake. With birds it is impossible - their feather is generally repulsive.

Most birds in Poland don`t have colourful plumage, we are not the Amazon rainforest.

Interesting habits ... hmm.. my cats have them, too. Especially, when they deal with white mice which escape from their cage.

My own eyesight is too poor to observe birds at a distance without binoculars to which I am allergic. Vicious circle.

That bird encounter is in the garden board but it had nothing to do with bird watching, more with my belief in supernatural forces.

To sum up, I am too old to change my ways. There is a special proverb about it.

Post by jeanne on Feb 25, 2017 23:46:38 GMT 1

Unfortunately, the possession of fur is the most wanted feature which makes a creature appealing to me. I like building a close contact with an animal by kissing, fondling, petting, caressing and stroking its fur. Or touching the soft warm skin of a snake. With birds it is impossible - their feather is generally repulsive.

Most birds in Poland don`t have colourful plumage, we are not the Amazon rainforest.

Interesting habits ... hmm.. my cats have them, too. Especially, when they deal with white mice which escape from their cage.

My own eyesight is too poor to observe birds at a distance without binoculars to which I am allergic. Vicious circle.

That bird encounter is in the garden board but it had nothing to do with bird watching, more with my belief in supernatural forces.

To sum up, I am too old to change my ways. There is a special proverb about it.

I give up...I can see my efforts to convert you are useless! I am talking to the wall...an expression I'm sure you understand!